Contaminated Eye Drops Are Causing Eye Infections, Blindness, and Death

A batch of contaminated eye drops is causing an outbreak of infections, blindness, and even three fatalities across the country, resulting in an FDA warning and manufacturer recall.

According to ABC News, people around the United States are experiencing serious and life-threatening symptoms after using a popular eye drop product called EzriCare Artificial Tears. In fact, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning for the public to stop using these eye drops immediately. However, the infection rate continues to increase across several different states.

What are EzriCare Artificial Tears and what company created them?

EzriCare Artificial Tears are an eye drop product intended to treat dry, itchy, irritated eyes. They are created by a company in India named Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited and imported to the United States. This eye drop product can be purchased over the counter, meaning that you do not need a prescription. Several different places were selling EzriCare eye drops, but the most popular retailers that kept them in stock were Walmart and Amazon.

One of the prominent ingredients found in EzriCare Artificial Tears is carboxymethylcellulose sodium, which is used to get rid of common allergy symptoms such as red, puffy, and dry eyes. This ingredient begins working instantly by providing moisture to the eye, which is why it is common in many other eye drop products.

Many consumers and retailers believed that EzriCare eye drops were both helpful and safe to use. However, at the beginning of 2023, Global Pharma agreed to issue a recall after many reports of eye infections were linked to the product.

What makes EzriCare eye drops dangerous?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that about 70 people have been infected with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection after using EzriCare eye drops. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a very dangerous bacteria that grows in soil or water. It can be spread by touching infected surfaces, humans, equipment, or tools. Once it is on a person’s skin, it will quickly find an area where it can thrive and survive. This is typically a place where moisture is present, making the eyes an optimal space for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to occupy.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can live without oxygen. Therefore, it has the ability to control natural and artificial environments. In addition, this bacterium is constantly growing and changing, making it resistant to many antibiotics. This is a serious issue as patients with open wounds, damaged tissues, or weak immune systems are extremely vulnerable to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and may suffer life-changing and deadly consequences if it is not treated in time.

The types of injuries that have resulted from these artificial tears

After using EzriCare eye drops, several people have reported different types of injuries. Here is the list of injuries that have currently been reported:

• Three deaths
• Four people had their eyeballs surgically removed
• Eight people suffered blindness or vision loss
• 11 people had severe eye infections
• Several people had urinary tract infections

Which states have reported eye infections from EzriCare eye drops?

People from 16 states have reported eye infections and other symptoms after using EzriCare eye drops. The following are the 16 states with current reports:

1.     California 2.     Colorado 3.     Connecticut 4.     Florida 5.     Illinois 6.     North Carolina 7.     New Jersey 8.     New Mexico

9.    New York 10.  Nevada 11.  Pennsylvania 12.  South Dakota 13.  Texas 14.  Utah 15.  Washington 16.  Wisconsin

If you do not see your state on this list, it does not mean that you are not at risk of being infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa after using EzriCare Artificial Tears. If you have used these eye drops and are experiencing side effects, it is critical that you notify your healthcare provider as quickly as possible.

Can anyone file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of EzriCare Artificial Tears?

Although EzriCare Artificial Tears are a popular eye drop product that many people have used, it is important to know that not everyone is eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. You must meet specific criteria to successfully file a claim, which includes:

• You have used EzriCare Artificial Tears before.
• After using the eye drop product, you suffered an eye infection, blindness, urinary tract infection, or other injuries.

While these criteria may not seem difficult to meet, stating that you have used this product and suffered injuries is simply not enough. You must have significant proof showing that you used these eye drops before and that they directly caused you harm. If you need assistance with proving your claim, our Huntsville personal injury lawyers at Martin & Helms will be glad to help with this.

We will meet with you to learn about your experience, collect evidence to support your argument, and build a strong case against the manufacturer. Important evidence that we may use are photographs, video footage, receipts, medical records, doctor testimonies, and more.

The losses you may be able to claim

A person who has been injured by EzriCare eye drops may receive compensation for their losses. That said, if you have suffered harm from this product, the manufacturer may be liable for your damages. It is recommended that you take the time to determine the losses you have experienced since using this product. Some of the most common losses that our clients claim are:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation
• Mental trauma
• Therapy
• Hired services
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship

The Huntsville personal injury attorneys at Martin & Helms are ready and available to assist victims who have suffered harm from EzriCare eye drops. We have helped countless other clients with issues like this, and we will be happy to help you as well. Our team can be reached by filling out our contact form or you can visit one of our office locations in Huntsville or Decatur. We look forward to meeting with you soon.